Holding on by a whisker: Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan still in the frame for Rio Olympic berth

With one tournament left to play before the cut-off point, Chan remains on course for the Games, which sees golf’s return this summer for the first time in over a century

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Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching kisses the trophy after winning the Hong Kong Ladies Open at Fanling two weeks ago. Photo: Daniel Wong

Published: 1:08pm, 21 Jun 2016Updated: 1:08pm, 21 Jun 2016

Despite missing the cut at last week’s Korea Women’s Open Golf Championship, Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching remains on course for the Rio Olympics, which sees golf’s return to the Summer Games for the first time in over a century.

The 22-year-old amateur, who stunned the professionals by winning the US$150,000 Hong Kong Ladies Open at Fanling earlier this month, slipped one place to 59th in the Olympic rankings, which were published late on Monday, with the top 60 players assured of their starting berths in Brazil when the qualification period ends on July 11.

Chan, who in May earned All-American honours after a successful first season on the US college circuit representing the University of Southern California, still has work to do – but knows a strong performance in her final event before the Olympic field is set – the China and Korean LPGA co-sanctioned Kumho Tire Ladies Open in Shandong province next week – should see her through.

“I thought after Korea I might have been out of it [the top 60], so it’s great news and I’m in a good position,” said the former Diocesan Girls’ School student, who at No 13 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking is the highest-ranked female amateur from the Asia-Pacific region.

Chan suffered a disappointment at the Korea Open last week. Photo: SCMP Pictures

“Korea was my seventh event in a row and I was a bit tired mentally, especially after the Hong Kong Ladies Open, so it’s nice to have some rest and work on ironing out a few weaknesses in my game.”